Olswang has boosted its Asia presence with the hire of a former Samsung lawyer to lead the firm's efforts to secure new business in Korea.

Steve Kim, who joins the firm as a consultant, will focus on business development and client support in the country, aiming to boost the UK firm's profile in the market.

Kim, who is a US-qualified lawyer, was previously head of sales and marketing at intellectual property practice CPA Global in Korea, before which he was a senior legal counsel at Samsung. He will not practice law at Olswang but will take a key role in managing the relationships Olswang has with other firms in Korea.

The news comes after the firm sealed non-exclusive alliances with Holborn Law in Singapore and Haldanes in Hong Kong last December.

Olswang Asia head Andrew Stott told Legal Week: "This is an opportunistic, quick-to-market support play using someone we are impressed with and like very much, promoting a name and brand."

Stott said although the firm would be assessing client demand, there was no plan to establish a legal offering in Seoul and Olswang will continue to work with local firms in Korea.

Olswang's announcement comes at a time when the right for UK firms to operate in Korea may be under threat. European firms are currently only able to practise in the country under a European Union free trade agreement, with the Brexit vote therefore calling this position into question.